Colonial Hot Cider Punch Aka Wassail Food

COLONIAL WASSAIL

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, mix together red wine, cranberry juice, sugar, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon sticks.
• Heat just until mixture bubbles around the edges; reduce heat.
• Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Remove cinnamon sticks.
• Stir in brandy.
• Ladle mixture into cups or mugs; garnish with a lemon slice.

WASSAIL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spoon the sugar into the center of each apple, then place in a 9-inch square baking dish with 1 cup water. Bake until the apples are very tender, 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the hard cider, pale ale, apple cider and Madeira to a large pot and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Put the cloves, allspice, cinnamon sticks, orange zest and lemon zest in a piece of cheesecloth and tie it closed. Add to the pot along with the ginger and nutmeg. Reduce the heat to low and steep the mixture until the liquid is well spiced and fragrant, about 1 hour.
• Add the cooked apples and any of their juices to the pot and stir to combine. Remove the cheesecloth. Serve warm in individual mugs with an orange wedge and cinnamon stick.

COLONIAL HOT CIDER PUNCH, AKA "WASSAIL'

Steps:

• 1. Simmer mixture with 3 sticks whole cinnamon to melt--DO NOT COOK. Allow to cool, pour into punch bowl. Separately stick whole cloves around entire surface of 3 to 6 whole oranges. Place oranges into baking pan with 1/2 inch of water, and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Place oranges into punch bowl Serves 40
• 2. Serve with pound cake, nut cake, or cheese and crackers.
• 3. For a non spirited version just add 1/2 oz rum flavoring instead of rum. and 1/2 oz brandy flavoring instead of brandy